Is the Black-headed Sea Snake venomous?

Yes. The Black-headed Sea Snake (Hydrophis atriceps) is venomous and belongs to the Elapidae family (cobra, mamba, coral or sea snake). Its bite is considered high risk to people. Treat any bite as a medical emergency.

Is the Black-headed Sea Snake poisonous?

Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Black-headed Sea Snake is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.

Where does the Black-headed Sea Snake live?

The Black-headed Sea Snake has verified records in 10 countries, including Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Elapidae

Black-headed Sea Snake

Venomous

Hydrophis atriceps

The Black-headed Sea Snake (Hydrophis atriceps) is a venomous snake in the Elapidae family, recorded in 10 countries.

If you are bitten

This is a venomous snake. Treat any bite as a medical emergency: stay calm, keep the bitten limb still and roughly level with the heart, remove rings and tight clothing, and get to emergency care immediately. Do not apply a tourniquet, cut the wound, apply ice, or try to suck out venom. Call your local emergency number or poison center.

Family: Elapidae
Danger: high

About the Black-headed Sea Snake

The black-headed sea snake is a marine snake native to waters around Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines and northern Australia, and New Guinea.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Black-headed Sea Snake

Is the Black-headed Sea Snake venomous?: Yes. The Black-headed Sea Snake (Hydrophis atriceps) is venomous and belongs to the Elapidae family (cobra, mamba, coral or sea snake). Its bite is considered high risk to people. Treat any bite as a medical emergency.
Is the Black-headed Sea Snake poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Black-headed Sea Snake is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Black-headed Sea Snake dangerous?: This is a venomous snake. Treat any bite as a medical emergency: stay calm, keep the bitten limb still and roughly level with the heart, remove rings and tight clothing, and get to emergency care immediately. Do not apply a tourniquet, cut the wound, apply ice, or try to suck out venom. Call your local emergency number or poison center.
Where does the Black-headed Sea Snake live?: The Black-headed Sea Snake has verified records in 10 countries, including Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines. See the distribution section below for its full range.

If you are bitten by the Black-headed Sea Snake

A venomous snakebite is a medical emergency. Call your local emergency number immediately. In the US, dial 911 or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

Get away from the snake and stay calm. Most bites worsen when people panic or try again to handle the snake.
Call 911 or Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) right away. Antivenom works best when given early.
Note the time of the bite and, from a safe distance, the snake's color and pattern, a phone photo is enough. Do not chase it.
Keep the bitten limb still and at roughly heart level. Sit or lie down and limit movement.
Remove rings, watches, and tight clothing near the bite before swelling starts.
Gently wash the bite with soap and water and cover it with a clean, dry dressing.

Do not

Do not cut the wound or try to suck out the venom.
Do not apply a tourniquet or ice.
Do not drink alcohol or caffeine.
Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen, they can worsen bleeding. Acetaminophen is safer for pain.
Do not try to catch or kill the snake. A dead snake can still bite by reflex.

First-aid guidance adapted from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC NIOSH), Venomous Snakes. Educational only; always follow the instructions of emergency responders.

Where it is found

Thailand Indonesia Philippines Australia Viet Nam Malaysia Papua New Guinea China India Lao People’s Democratic Republic

More Elapidae snakes

Classification

How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.

OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards: Squamata
FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits: Elapidae
GenusA close-knit group of very similar species: Hydrophis
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name: Hydrophis atriceps

Keep learning

Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.